A Senate Representative in Council, Professor Afolabi Lesi has alleged that the voting pattern leading to the removal of the Vice Chancellor of University of Lagos (UNILAG) was fraught with irregularity owing to the fact that it is only 4 persons that voted in support of the removal.
This is contained in a statement issued by him which was made available to TheNigeriaLawyer, which he titled “UPDATE ON EMERGENCY COUNCIL MEETING OF 12TH AUGUST 2020”.
“It has become necessary to provide further updates on the voting that took place to remove the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Oluwatoyin Ogundipe FAS. Fifteen members attended the Council meeting physically ad virtually and two were asked to leave, the Vice Chancellor and the Deputy Vice Chancellor (DS). Thirteen members had the opportunity to vote, even though Dr. Wale Babalakin did not vote (as stated by him), leaving twelve (12) members.” He said.
Meanwhile, he noted that six persons had acknowledged that they did not vote for the removal.
“Six (6) persons have given information that they voted against the removal of the Vice Chancellor:
1. Prof. Bola Oboh (Representative of Senate, UNILAG).
2. Prof. Afolabi Lesi (Representative of Senate, UNILAG).
3. Prof. Olukemi Odukoya (Representative of Senate, UNILAG)
4. Dr John Momoh (President, National Alumni, UNILAG).
5. Prof. Ben Oghojafor (Deputy Vice Chancellor, MS, UNILAG)
6. Prince Adetokunbo Adebanjo, Representative of the Ministry of Education who declared his vote openly.”
Furthermore, he noted that one person abstained from voting.
“Also, from further information, one person abstained from the voting processing:
1. Prof. Eddy Omolehinwa (Representative of Senate, UNILAG)”
“However, the very first vote message that Dr. Wale Babalakin read out as having received was ONE SUSPENSION.” He added.
Meanwhile, he stated that the suspension could only be from anyone amongst five persons.
“From the recount so far, the suspension vote is from one of the following:
1. Alhaji Hussain Ali (Former Commissioner)
2. Oluwarotimi Sodimu Esq (Representative of Congregation, UNILAG)
3. Dr. Saminu Dagari (Senior Lecturer of Chemistry, Federal University, Gashua)
4. Dr. Bayo Adaralegbe (Babalakin’s Chamber)
5. Revd Yomi Kasali (Senior Pastor, Foundation of Truth Assembly).”
Consequently, he noted that there remains only four persons.
“Therefore, what is remaining is four (4) persons, who voted for the removal of the Vice Chancellor.” He said.
In this light, he submitted that six persons voted against while four voted in support of the removal.
“From the analysis of the voting pattern above, SIX (6) persons voted that Prof. Oluwatoyin Ogundipe should not be removed as the Vice Chancellor of the University of Lagos while FOUR (4) persons voted for the removal of the Vice Chancellor.”
“Conscience is an open wound, only the TRUTH can heal it (attributed to Usman dan Fodiyo).” He concluded.
